Piston construction



R. c. CLARK PISTON CONSTRUCTION Nov. 19, 1929.

3 sheets sheet 1 In 'ven Mr 12, 630mm,

Nov. 19, 1929. R. c. CLARK 1,

PISTON CONSTRUCTION Filed March 15. 1928 s Sheets-Sheet 2 v i m .1 W W55 5: IS EEE M a w V 4 -NOV. 19, 1929. R, c, CLARK PISTON CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheefs-Sheet 3 Filed March 13. 1928 UNITED "res RALPH C. CLARK, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR F FORTY-NINE PER CENT TO FRANK MCCAUGHEY, OF LOS .ANGELES, CALIFORNIA PISTON CONSTRUCTION Application filed March 13,1928. Serial No. 261;239.

The present invention relates to improvements in piston constructions and has reference more particularly to a piston for use in conjunction with mud or slush pumps.

One of theimportant objects of the present invention is to provide a piston that is of such construction as to render the same positive and eflicient in carrying out the purposes for which it is designed. I

Another important object of the invention is to provide a piston which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable, and further well adapted'to the purpose for which it is designed. c

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the nature of the invention proceeds and when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is an axial section of one form of the piston.

Figure 2 is'a fragmentary slde elevatlon of one end portion of the elongated hub or core showing the manner in which the, complementary segments are associated w th respect to each otherfand further showing the operative association of the inner ends of the segments with the central radial flange formed on the hub or core.

Figure 3 is an end elevation thereof. I Figure 4 is a plan view of one of the segments.

Figure 5 is a similar view to Flgure 1, showing another form of the plston.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view through the hub orcore showing the spaced sockets formed in the radial flange and is associated with the hub andalso disclosing in elevation,

the slotted lateral web also carried by the hub. Figure 7 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 5, showing a still further modification of the piston. V

Figure 8 is a plan view of one of the segments forming a part of the piston construction disclosed in Figure 7 Figure 9 is a detail view of the radial lugs in associated relation with the type of hub disclosed in Figure 7 and showing the sockets formed in the respective lugs.

Figure 10 is an axial section through a modification of the hub or core and the complementary radially movable members associated therewith, and

Figure 11 is a'fragmentary detail section showing the relation of one of the segments of the piston construction illustrated in Figure 5 and the adjacent web.

In the. drawings, with reference more parv ticularly to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the numeral 1 designates the elongated hub or core which is constructed of cast iron, the bore thereof being tapered gradually from one end to the other. This hub or core is adapted to be secured on a piston rod (not shown) in any appropriate manner for operation within a cylinder of a slush pump or the like. This hub or core is formed with a central relatively thick annular flange 2. This flange is formed in its opposite faces with a series of ball receiving sockets 3, the purpose of which will be presently described.

Forming a salient part of the present pis-' ton construction are the complementary triangular shaped segments 4, that are preferably constructed of bronze. Each segfnent is curved transversely and is formed at its inner end with a ball shaped head 5, for disposition Within the respective sockets 3 provided therefor in the closed faces-of the annular flanges 2, in the manner as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

Formed on the outer or larger end of each segment is the outwardly extending rim 6, the ends of which project beyond the respec tive sides of each segment and arefurther more cut away at diagonally opposite corners as indicated at 7.

The segments 4 are disposed around the hub or core 1 on opposite sides of the flange 2, so that the adjacent ends of the rims 6 will be disposed in overlapping relation as clearly shown in Figure 2, whereby to form a piston ring and the ball and socket connections provide a means whereby said segments are capable of radial swinging movement as will be presently described.

Rubber packing 8 is molded around the hub or core and the radially movable co1nplementary segment 4 and loose packing completely encloses the central annular flange 2 and the major portions of the complementary segments. Substantially V-chaped channels 9 are formed in each end of the rubber packing 8 around the hub or core whereby to provide a means for the liquid to enter the channels and expand the rubber packing and the segments 4; radially in outward directions against the inner wall of the cylinder.

.With reference ,now to Figures 5, 6, and 11, wherein there is disclosed another form of the piston construction embodying my invention, the elongated hub or core is designated by the numeral 10 and formed at the central portion of the hub or core is the annular flange 11 that is provided in one face with the socket 12 in the manner as more clearly illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 and for the purpose to be presently described. As clearly shown in the drawings, the sockets are preferably located against the hub or core. The hub or core 10 is furthermore formed with the radially disposed fan shaped webs 13, that are arranged on opposite sides of the central annular flange 11 and these fan shaped webs are curved transversely. The Webs are located in such a' manner as to be disposed on opposite sides of the spaced sockets 12 andthis construction is more clearly shown in Figure 6. I Forming a part of the piston construction disclosed in Figure 5 is a series of comple- 'mentary segments such as are shown at 14, in Figure at. Each of these segments is formed at its inner end with a ball shaped head 15 for cooperation with the respective sockets 12 provided therefor in theannular flange 11, while the outer or larger end portion of each segment is formed with a rim 16, that is disposed naturally in an upward direction, and the ends of the rim are cut away at diagonally opposed corners as illustrated at 17,

whereby the adjacent ends of the sections and segment 14 will be disposed in overlapping relation when the segments are properly assembled around the hub 10, so that a piston ring will be formed by the outer ends of the complementary segments.

The side edges of each segment are cut away as at 18, whereby to form a shoulder 19 and the shoulders cooperate with the curved faces of the arcuate webs 13, in the manner as clearly shown in Figure 11, so that said segments are capable of radial swinging movement by reason of the ball and socket connection between the segments and the annular flange 11.

Rubber packing 20 is molded completely around the hub and the annular flange and arcuate web that extend from the outer face ofthe intermediate portion of the hub or core and furthermore, the rubber packing encloses the segmental sections and the piston rings formed by the outer ends thereof in the manner as clearly illustrated in Figure 5. The packing is, however, formed with the substantially V-shaped channels 21, in the respective ends around the hub, for the same purpose as the channels 9 formed in the rubber packing .8 molded around the hub 1.

In Figure 7 ,there is shown a further modification of the piston construction and in this instance the core or hub is designated by the numeral 22 and the bore thereof is ta pered from end to end. A series of radially disposed lugs 23 are formed on the outer face'o-f the hub 22 adjacent one end" thereof and each of these lugs 23 is formed in its inner face with a socket'24, as more clearly disclosed in Figure 9. Radial webs 25 extend from the outer face of the hub 22 adj acent the other endthereof and as is clearly shown in Figure 7, the inner face of the web is slightly curved to permit the radial movement of the rib 26 that 's formed transversely across the inner face of each of the triangular shaped segments 27, the outer face of the rib 26 being slightly convex to cooperate with the concaved face of the web 25.

The inner end of each of the triangular shaped segments is rounded to form a head 28, that is receivable in the respective socket 24 provided therefor in the adjacent lugs 23,

Rubber packing 30.is molded around the I hub and the segments associated therewith and additional piston rings 31 are embedded in the end of the rubber packing remote from the piston ring formed by the complementary rims 29 of the segments 27. A V-shaped channel 32 is formed in each end of the rubber packing around the hub or core.

In Figure 10 of the drawings, there is shown a still further modification of the piston construction wherein the hub or core 33 is formed at one end with an annular flange 34, that is formed in its inner face with a series of sprockets 35, located adjacent the outer peripheral face of the hub or core. An annular flange 36 is formed on the other end of the hub or core 33 and the inner face of this flange is slightly concaved as illus-. trated at 37 for cooperation with the convex face of the rim portion 38, of each of the segments 39, the other end of each segment being formed with a ball shaped head 40 for cooperation with the respective socket 35,

25 stood that minor changes in the size, shape and arrangement .of parts may be resorted to, Without departing from the spirit of the whereby said segments are capable of radial swinging movement with respect to the-hub.

' Rubber packing is adapted to be molded about the hub to completely enclose the segments.

It will thus be seen from-the foregoing description that I have provided a piston construction that is more particularly adapted to be used in conjunction with mud or slush pumps and due to its simplicity, the pistons can be readily and easily assembled and the ball and socket connections Will permit radial expansion of the piston rings and the rubber packing so as to insure positive engagement of the piston with the inner wall of thecylinder with which the piston is operable. Furthermore, the formation of the V-shaped channels in the ends of the rubber packing will afford a means whereby the liquid under pressure will act to effect radial expansion.

A piston of the above mentioned character will be strong and durable and at the same time may be manufactured at a very low cost.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be underinvention or the scope of the appended claims.

whereby said sockets are capable of radial swinging movement, the outer ends of the.

ture.

RALPH C. CLARK.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letformed on the outer face of the hub, said flange being provided with spaced sockets in one face thereof, a series of complementary segments surrounding the hub, the innerends of the segments being rounded for disposition within the respective sockets whereby said segments are capable of radial swinging movement, and piston ring form-.

' .ing rims on the outer ends of the segments.

2. In a piston, a hub, an annular flange formed on the outer face of the hub, said flange being provided with spaced sockets in one face thereof, a series of complementar segments surrounding the hub, the inner en s of the segments being rounded for disposi- .-tion within the respective sockets whereby said segments are capable'of radial swinging movement, and piston ring forming rims on the outer ends of the segments, a rubber packing surroundingv the hub and (the segments, one end of said rubber packing being formed with an annular channel for 'a purpose as described. I 3. In a piston, an elongated hub, an annular flange formed on the outer peripheral face of the hub and provided with a series of rounded sockets in one side face thereof, a plurality of segments surrounding the hub and disposed axially with respect thereto the inner ends of the segments being rounded ,for disposition in the respective sockets 

